A natural refuge where the beauty of karst gorges meets the tranquility of unspoiled nature.
The Regional Natural Park, established in 2005, is the largest regional natural park in Apulia, covering approximately 28,000 hectares across 14 municipalities in the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi. This vast territory is characterized by deep karst gorges, known as ravines, which stretch from the Murge highlands to the Ionian Sea, creating breathtaking and unique landscapes. The park boasts rich biodiversity, featuring flora typical of Mediterranean scrub, including holm oaks, Aleppo pines, strawberry trees, and wild maples. The fauna is equally diverse, home to numerous birds of prey, such as the Lanner falcon, Lesser kestrel, Short-toed snake eagle, Eagle owl, and the rare Egyptian vulture. Additionally, the park shelters mammals like hares, foxes, beech martens, and squirrels, showcasing a thriving and varied ecosystem. Beyond its natural heritage, the park preserves significant historical and archaeological evidence, including rock settlements and crypts carved into the stone, which were frequently inhabited during the early medieval period.
The ravines park offers extraordinary biodiversity, with habitats ranging from Mediterranean scrub to holm oak forests, populated by ecologically significant plant and animal species. Alongside its natural treasures, the park also safeguards valuable rock-hewn churches, such as the Crypt of San Marco, likely dating back to the 4th century, adorned with Byzantine frescoes of great historical and artistic value. These sacred sites represent an invaluable cultural treasure, bearing witness to centuries of history and tradition.
